Page 101 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
“Are you sure?” she pressed. “You can rest if you are feeling under the weather.”
“I am quite sure, Your Grace.”
“It’s fine if you need to rest,” Ava said.
Tilly shook her head vehemently. “I want to see the ducks.” She pouted.
“Ducks?” Edith asked, confused.
“Yes, it’s not raining today,” Tilly said.
Edith looked at Ava, who seemed to understand.
“The Duchess of Richmond was going to take me to feed the ducks today. I really don’t want to rest and miss it.”
“Ah, I see,” Edith said, nodding slowly. “The ducks will still be there tomorrow, though, if you are unwell.”
“I want to see the ducks,” Tilly insisted, with tears in her eyes.
Edith’s heart sank. She knew Tilly had been taking the separation from Laurence poorly, but she hadn’t expected her reaction.
Ava put a hand on Edith’s shoulder. “I think Miss Tilly has made herself clear,” she said softly. “Sometimes children can react to the oddest things when they are overwhelmed.”
“It would seem so.” Edith nodded. “I am just worried she isn’t well enough. Surely she should rest.”
“The duck pond is not that far away,” Ava said. “And if she gets tired, she can always rest this afternoon.”
“Please?” Tilly said plaintively, looking at Edith with her big brown eyes.
Edith looked between her friend and Tilly, her heart aching with worry. But perhaps Ava was right, and Tilly needed the outing to lift her spirits.
“All right,” she relented.
Tilly’s eyes lit up, and she wrapped her arms around Edith’s arm. “Thank you, Your Grace,” she whispered.
Edith smiled weakly and rubbed her small back affectionately.
Ava cleared her throat. “Miss Tilly, Her Grace has said you can come with me, so you can,” she said. “But you will be under my care. As such, you must wear a good coat and proper shoes.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
For a moment, it seemed as if her fatigue had been forgotten.
“But if you feel worse this afternoon, you must go for a nap,” Edith said firmly.
“I will,” Tilly assured her.
Edith looked over at Ava, who nodded.
“Maybe Tilly can nap with me,” Anthony chimed in.
“We can all nap after we play,” Luke piped up.
“I will keep an eye on her, Edith,” Ava promised quietly.
“Thank you,” Edith said gratefully.
After breakfast, Edith watched as Ava and the children departed. It wasn’t like Tilly to be so tired, but it was not as if she could blame the little girl. They had fled to Richmond Estate so quickly after the botched charity event. Any adult would have trouble adjusting, let alone a scared and sad child.
